RuneScape: Dragonwilds has taken the gaming community by surprise with its early access launch, which came just weeks after the initial teaser. This article delves into the details of the early access release and what players can look forward to during this exciting phase.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds Early Access Livestream

Early Access Available Now!

RuneScape: Dragonwilds made a thrilling announcement during its early access livestream on April 16. Jagex, the developer behind Dragonwilds, revealed that the game is now accessible for early access on Steam. This announcement came just a few weeks after the game's first trailer was released, catching fans off guard. The game was initially opened for wishlisting on Steam on April 1, followed by its first official gameplay teaser on April 2. Although the game was first mentioned in 2022, it wasn't until late 2024 that Jagex began accepting signups for alpha testing of this new survival game set within the RuneScape universe. The game was officially unveiled as RuneScape: Dragonwilds on March 31, 2025.

Estimated Official Release Date in Early 2026

The developers are targeting an official release for Dragonwilds in early 2026. They emphasized their commitment to ensuring a polished and engaging experience, stating, "We want to spend the time to get everything right to make sure that our players get a complete, satisfying experience that you’ll want to revisit with friends again and again."

Jesse America, Jagex's Executive Producer, highlighted that Dragonwilds offers a unique RuneScape experience tailored for the franchise's dedicated fans. He noted that the early access phase marks the beginning of their development journey, saying, "Throughout Early Access, we’ll be updating the game regularly with new content and features, while listening closely to the community to deliver an iconic open world survival crafting game that is loved equally by our biggest RuneScape fans and new players alike."

Early Access Roadmap Revealed

Jagex unveiled the early access roadmap for Dragonwilds, giving players a glimpse into the upcoming content and features. A highlight of these updates is the introduction of a new region called Fellhollow, a mystical area suspended between life and death, ruled by the soul-eater dragon Imaru. This region is influenced by the wild anima of Ashenfall and the cursed energy of the Underworld, with the iconic RuneScape character Death accompanying players on this journey. Expect new quests, lore, gear, music, and skills in magic, ranged, and farming.

The game will also introduce new enemy types, such as Lesser Dragons, along with dragon slayer gear, a hardcore mode, and a creative mode. While specific release dates for these updates are not yet available, Jagex promises continuous improvements and enhancements throughout the early access period.

Early Access Rewards

Players who purchase Dragonwilds during its early access phase will receive exclusive in-game rewards. As detailed on the game's Steam page, "Early Adopters" will be granted the following items:

• Pioneer’s Scarf
• Pioneer’s Tapestry
• Pioneer’s Cape
• 2 pieces of music from the game

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is currently available for early access on PC at a price of $29.99. Jagex has confirmed that the game's price will increase upon its full release. All updates during the early access period will be free, though the developers may introduce paid DLC post-launch.